Ghana has recorded its most concerning West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results in over a decade, sparking widespread alarm among educators, parents, and policymakers.
The 2025 results, released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), show an unprecedented decline in student performance, particularly in core subjects, including Social Studies long considered one of the most accessible papers.
Read also: Adansi Dompoase Chief Reportedly Shot by Unknown Gunmen at Funeral
Out of over 400,000 candidates who sat for the exams this year:
– 131,097 students (30.27%) failed English Language
– 220,008 students (50.54%) failed Core Mathematics
161,606 students (39.87%) failed Integrated Science
– 196,727 students (44%) failed Social Studies
The failure rate in Social Studies nearly half of all candidates is especially troubling, given the subject’s historical reputation for high pass rates. It has often been viewed as one of the least challenging components of the WASSCE.
Stakeholders have begun raising questions about the root causes of the poor outcomes. Some education analysts suggest that while the government’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy has increased access, it may have inadvertently contributed to a decline in quality due to strained infrastructure, overloaded classrooms, and inadequate teaching resources.
Others have pointed to distractions among students, including the rising influence of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, even during study periods. There are growing concerns that some students may be prioritizing online trends and content creation over academic discipline.
Education think tanks and civil society organizations are calling for a national dialogue to reassess the Free SHS policy implementation, teacher motivation, and student commitment.
There are also renewed calls for schools to enforce stricter academic discipline and provide more targeted support for struggling learners.
Also read: Russian-Ukraine War: Kyiv Rocked by Devastating Missile and Drone Strikes
The Ministry of Education is yet to issue a detailed response but is expected to address the nation soon on planned interventions to reverse the worrying trend.
Source: bbcghana